Free solar panels in Ohio have been gaining popularity in recent years as more and more homeowners and businesses are looking for ways to save money on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

With the cost of solar panels continuing to decrease and government incentives and rebates becoming more readily available, it is becoming increasingly feasible for Ohio residents to install solar panels on their homes and businesses without having to pay anything out of pocket.

Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

One of the most popular ways that Ohio residents are obtaining free solar panels is through solar leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs). With a solar lease, a homeowner or business owner agrees to allow a solar company to install solar panels on their property, and in exchange, the homeowner or business owner agrees to purchase the electricity generated by the panels at a lower rate than what they would pay for electricity from the grid. This means that the homeowner or business owner can save money on their energy bills without having to pay for the cost of the solar panels upfront.

Ohio Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC)

Another way that Ohio residents can obtain free solar panels is through government incentives and rebates. The state of Ohio offers a number of incentives and rebates for solar energy systems, including the Ohio Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program and the Ohio Advanced Energy Fund. These programs provide financial incentives to homeowners and businesses that install solar panels, which can help offset the cost of the panels and make them more affordable. Additionally, many utility companies in Ohio offer rebates to customers who install solar panels, which can also help reduce the cost of the panels.

Community solar

Another way to get free solar panels is through community solar programs. Community solar programs allow multiple households to share a solar energy system and split the benefits of the energy it generates. These programs are typically offered by utilities or independent solar developers and allow customers to subscribe to the energy generated by a nearby solar array, rather than installing panels on their own property. Community solar is a great way to participate in solar power without having to own a home or have an ideal roof for solar installation.

It's important to note that, while the solar panels themselves may be free, there are still costs associated with installing and maintaining them. These costs can include site assessments, permitting, interconnection fees, and ongoing maintenance and monitoring. However, these costs are typically much less than the cost of purchasing the solar panels outright and can be offset by the savings on energy bills and government incentives.